Friday, April 5, 2024

Dante's A Giant!




We just learned that standout Lion RB Dante Miller '22 has been signed by the N.Y. Giants.

This excellent article includes a lot of Dante's story, much of which the fans never knew during his time at Columbia. It also includes details on how the University of South Carolina messed up aspects of his post-Ivy eligibility. But Miller persevered and he's now in the NFL

QUICK NOTES ON SPRING BALL

I'll be attending the Spring Game on 4/20 & perhaps a practice or two as well, but I haven't gleaned too much info about how things are going during these sessions so far. 

But here's what I do know:

Offensive Coordinator Seitu Smith's offense is more pass oriented than the previous system, energizing some of the players a bit more so far. 

Transfer QB Cole Freeman is not participating in spring practice, (probably by rule). The bulk of the snaps at QB are being taken by rising sophomores Xander Menapace and Chase Goodwin, and rising junior AJ Simpkins. 

I know that doesn't exactly tell us much about the QB depth chart, but that's what I got. 





259 comments:

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Anonymous said...

Bowman is history—the tide may be turning against the radical left

Anonymous said...

Go find a politics blog. The new team roster is out -- how about we talk about that?

Anonymous said...

We are lock and load, Ungvar!

Anonymous said...

We are lock and load, Univar! Let's go, baby.

Anonymous said...

I assume Jake is done, and I hope he is. I used to be a proud CC grad but I can't support that shit hole anymore.

Anonymous said...

The QB competition will be fun to watch. From coach’s comments, the offensive line is in great shape. We have a good mix of WRs. Could be an aerial show.

Anonymous said...

No RBs in new class—big hole to fill; Terry and Giorgi will be great this year, but going forward?

Stan Waldbaum said...

Seems that Columbia lost just three players who were on Jake's list which he published about three months ago--two wide receivers and a tackle. Coach Poppe and his staff replaced them with a standout punter and a couple of promising linebackers. The punter is Tommy Sleeman of Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bishop Gorman has one of the best football programs in the country and he enjoyed remarkable success as its punter. Sleeman is also a very bright young man so he should thrive at Columbia. The two linebackers are Caleb Ibegiho, a 6'3 210 all-state selection at Flint Hill Prep in Maryland and James Fealy, who played for Deerfield Academy, the New England Prep School that has sent many standout players to Columbia including, of course, the great Archie Roberts. Overall, the incoming class looks very good to me.

Anonymous said...

https://herosports.com/fcs-best-returning-defensive-end-each-conference-bmbm/

Anonymous said...

Yes, Ungvar! Let's go!

Anonymous said...

J.Wilson
I am a father of a former football player, class of 2021. The no senior season class. Sorry for what has happened to this Columbia Football blog. It has been hi-jacked into a political dumpster fire. It just plain sucks.

Stan Waldbaum said...

So here we go Mr. Wilson: Starting with wide receiver, my fan comment is that Columbia is likely to have the best wide receiver corps in the Ivy League this season. I assume the leader will be senior Bryson Canty who two years ago was selected as first team All-Ivy after a spectacular season in which he made some out of the world catches one of which was highlighted on ESPN. My understanding is that he was injured for most of the 2023 season, but if now healthty he will be the team leader and a possible draft pick. Next up is Marcus Libman, the speedy and smart senior wide receiver from Arizona. No one is better than Libman on a catch and go pattern, meaning catching short and and then breaking away. Libman did a particularly good job of doing that against Brown two years ago. I expect Libman to have a great senior season for Columbia. Next up for the Lions is Edan Stagg, a wide receiver from the Great State of Louisiana. Stagg was considered Columbia's top recruit two years ago as he has outstanding athleticism and blazing speed. The fourth All-Ivy potential wide receiver is sophomore Titus Evans whose skills mirror those of Bryson Cantt. Then there are two other talented wide receivers from Texas who are looking to have breakout years. Their names are Brayden Gardoni and Jordan Kelly. I have just seen them on their recrruiting film, but they are impressive for sure. There could be som other standout receivers such as Bergen Catholic grad Christian Carti, but I do not enough about him or others, to comment. I agree with Mr. Wilson that we need some more Columbia Football commentary. Maybe others with more current info can help out. Also, it would be nice if whoever is responsble in the Athletic Adminstration for updating the Columbia Roster notes, did just that asap so we have. the information on the 2023 Columbia football season. Championship teams need the strong supports their fans. It seems to me that the Lions have an opp[ortunity to win the Ivy League Championship this year--great new coaching staff and many outstanding players returning. Let's do it!!!


Anonymous said...

Receivers need to come up big this year. Last year was pretty disappointing. Spring game showed new offensive scheme has more willingness to take risks with the ball (meaning throw it between hashes, rather than more conservative concepts of nearly everything to the sideline).

Could result in big plays up seams if qb’s can accurately hit wr’s in stride (we saw a few great examples in April). Could also mean a lot more turnovers (ditto)

Anonymous said...

Any update on Sanchez?

Stan Waldbaum said...

Updated 2024 Columbia Football Roster lists seven quarterbacks including incoming freshman quarterback Caleb Sanchez and junior Northwestern transfer Cole Freeman. It seems unlikely that the Columbia coaching staff will issue any sort of update until about ten (10) days before the opening game of the season. My guess is that Chase Goodwin or AJ Simpkins will start Game 1.

Anonymous said...

Having Joey Giorgi back this fall is huge as he is one of the best all-around running backs in the Ivy League and further.



Anonymous said...

He needs to carry to ball, gain yards and score touchdowns

Anonymous said...

And that he will. The offense will be dynamic and the defense will be off the charts scary

Anonymous said...

Because I always worry: defense better not read their own press clippings about how good they’ll be (as I fear receivers did last year). Front 7 must be better than last season because secondary will need support, especially early on with 2 or 3 new starters. I hope to see consistent pass pressure from 4 rushers. Return of BC at 3 tech sure to help. A truly dominating defense will allow for more risk-taking on the offense. (Fwiw - defense did not look great at spring game)

Ungvar said...

The Mountain Lion reports, via www.voy.com/152805/, the following Class of 2029 commits:

Jevaughan Barnett-Jackson, 6'2" 175 WR, Oxon Hall HS, Oxon, MD
Dylan Clifton, 6'3" 285 OL, Choate Rosemary Hall
P.J. Hartfield, 6'2" 175 DB, Rolesville HS, Rolesville, NC
Michael Walters, 6'1' 210 RB, Brookfield HS, Brookfield, CT

Anonymous said...

That defense will the best in the league. Not even close.

Ungvar said...

If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say you're being facetious about the defense and its excellence. Indications are that Coach Stovall will deliver again, but there are plenty of holes to fill and that takes time to get the new guys working in the system.

I expect an exciting pass-oriented offense--if the OL gels--and a good defense that will get better as the season progresses. Talk to me at the end of season about "best in the league" touts.

Anonymous said...

Truly believe the defense will be the best in the league and the offense will deliver.

Anonymous said...

The defense won't give up a TD all season.

Anonymous said...

That's not realistic. I'm sure the defense will give up a TD; I just hope the other team's defense gives up more.

Anonymous said...

Hey i wish you would stop all this sports talk on my favorite politics blog - this is a politics blog right?

Front 7 must deliver the goods. Nearly entire 2 deep have experience. Now we need improvement. Give the new guys in secondary a chance to get their feet under them by taking away running game and consistently applying pressure on qb’s!

Anonymous said...

We have the best DL in the business.

Anonymous said...

Best in America.

Anonymous said...

The factual basis for the optimistic statements about the strength of the Lions' defense is that apparently the new coaching staff convinced practically everyone to return to Columbia for the senior year. For example, Anthony Roussous, one of the best players in the Ivy League last season, is back along with the two year starting outside linebackers CJ Brown and Rocco Millia. In fact, even the three back-up linebackers, all of whom are very talented, have returned. Up front, Justin Townsend, our very best lineman, is back as are Patrick Passalacqua, James KnoX and numerous others. Columbia seems certain to once again have an outstanding defense. Our "D" was not the problem last year and will be very strong the coming season.

Anonymous said...

The D is gonna bring it!

Stan Waldbaum said...

Our kicking game is another strength with the return of All-Ivy punter William Hughes, and kicker Hugo Merry who had a terrific freshman season. If that's not enough, we have two excellent freshmen kickers, one of whom attended Nevada prep powerhouse Bishop Gorman

Anonymous said...

Fairly similar situation to last year except that our new coaching staff appears to be doing a much better job of connecting with the players. Defense will be outstanding for sure so it comes down to whether the offense is ready to do what it is supposed to do which is to score lots of points. I have the sense that the new coaching staff believes in the players and vice versa.

Anonymous said...

I get the same vibe

Anonymous said...

Very concerned about the "O" and the QB situation.

Anonymous said...

There will be plenty of proven high quality talent on offense; also plenty of solid players with experience. One or two qb’s will need to prove themselves capable, Canty and Giorgi need to perform as best at their respective positions in IL, 2 or 3 more o-line need to show they can play well against league and finally several players from every position group need to take step forward as depth will be an issue

Sounds like a lot but I am ecouraged all or most of the above can happen! We definitely have talent on O

Anonymous said...

Get ready for a great season

Anonymous said...

Totally agree with you. As far as the quarterback situation is concerned, Murphy's Law was at play last year as everything that could go wrong did go wrong, plus the game day weather sucked. Not only did our two talented quarterbacks have myriad unexpected issues, but the coaching staff failed to give any meaningful playing time to the back-ups. However, our new coaching staff seems to be on much firmer ground. For one thing, we now have on the roster a very talented qb named Cole Freeman who enjoyed significant success at Jersey football power,Delbarton Prep. Freeman was unable to overcome the long odds against unrecruited qbs being successful in the Big Ten, but it's a safe bet that he will prosper at Columbia We also have an outstanding freshman recruit in Caleb Sanchez who might very well see action very early in the season. Of course, rookie qbs can make nervous, but Sanchez looks like the real deal. Aside from those two newcomers, the Lions have five other qb's on the roster. They all have sterling high school achievements, but time will tell whether they are going be successful at the collegiate level

Anonymous said...


I looked at the new football roster.

Does anyone have insight as to the quality of the first years and the transfer?

Is there anyone who we can look forward to watching?

Is there anyone there that has a chance of making a significant difference?

Anonymous said...

Bryson Canty is THE player to watch. Bryson Canty also the best playmaker on the team. QB Transfer Cole Freeman is a dynamic playmaker. On defense Justin Townsend and Anthony Roussous are both outstanding and will ring the bell. Running backs Joey Giorgi and Malcom Terry are excellent all-around running backs.

Anonymous said...

Shawn Riley, Rocco Milia, Hayden McDonald, Pat Passalaqua, and Ben C round off a terrifying defense.

Anonymous said...

My prediction: junior Josh Powell has a big year rushing the edge opposite JT

Anonymous said...

Agreed. Kid is a stud

Anonymous said...

Lions have at least three standout tight ends on the roster.

Anonymous said...

I just hope someone can get the ball down field to them.

Anonymous said...

Earth to Jake, Come in Jake, " I still have the greatest confidence in the mission, Dave"

Anonymous said...

Jake moved to Del Boca Vista

Anonymous said...

Sanchez is next Mahomes. Mark my word

Anonymous said...

Already close

Anonymous said...

60 days and we start our quest for the Ivy Championship. Let’s go!!

Anonymous said...

Hearing good things about starting Oline. Depth could be an issue if injury bug bites, but some key returners put on some good weight and pass pro looked solid in spring game

I believe Lafayette is predicted to be solid again this year. Great first test for the Lions. Defense needs to shut down rb amd qb scrambles!

Anonymous said...

The last poster's comment about Lafayette being a very good early test is particularly apt. I was at that game last year and the team looked completely out of sorts, no doubt a perfect storm of their first game on the road, a newly-named interim coach and a blazing hot day. If this year's team musters the focus and swagger last year's team had against Cornell, they'll be fine.

Anonymous said...

It’s going to be a long day for Lafayette

Anonymous said...

Lions by a mile

Anonymous said...

From your lips to God's ears. But I actually hope it is a tight, well-played game where our boys need to dig in to win. Our OCC schedule the last few years has been too soft and I think it's had a negative effect when they play tougher, more talented IL teams. That said, they played Princeton last year all the way to the bitter end, and on the road in bad conditions. So the toughness and talent to compete is definitely there.

Anonymous said...

Agreed

Anonymous said...

Few more weeks and the Lions are in full camp.

Anonymous said...

It's on!

Anonymous said...

Lafayette picked to win Patriot League by coaches/SID’s

Anonymous said...

I haven’t seen any mention of DE Reid Spachman. Saw him on the practice field. The guys a beast.

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